Friday, 21 December 2018

This is a timely release from Helion as 2019 is the 300th anniversary of this battle. This is probably the first book on this subject for a very long time and it fills the void perfectly. Both armies are analysed in detail, (of particular interest was the presence of Spanish and Dutch troops in the battle), and the background of events is demonstrated admirably. Line drawings by Ed Dovey show the appearance of the combatants. Terrain obviously played a major part in this campaign so that is explained well with photos and maps. Mortars rather than field guns were used by the Government forces and this is examined. This the third book for Helion by Jonathan Worton that I have read and they are all thoroughly researched and very engaging.

By Marcellus Laroon. Investigating what British troops looked like in 1719 and remembered this painting

The painting shows two boys, probably of the Keppel family, the elder dressed as an officer in the Grenadier Company of the Coldstream Guards, and the younger as a private soldier in the same Grenadier Company.

Between them is a young girl with her King Charles spaniel. It is interesting that the uniforms are so clearly portrayed and that their flintlock muskets are resting against the wall behind them. Apart from its general charm, the picture is most important in that it clearly portrays the uniforms worn by officers and privates of the Grenadier Companies of the Coldstream Guards in the early 18th century.

Thursday, 20 December 2018

Thanks to Charles Singleton for this. It depicts Restoration cavalry. Looks worth a visit. It is in Staffordshire. The description reads Pre-dating the church are these two monuments that have been grouped together. The oldest is the table-tomb of Sir John Astley (†1532) whose effigy lies alongside that of his wife, whilst below and around the sides are the figures of their 15 children. Above them is the magnificent and finely sculptured wall monument to Sir Richard Astley (†1687) and his two wives Elizabeth and Henrietta. The panel below shows Sir Richard on horseback leading his troop of cavalry.

From Kronoskaf On March 28 1756, George II informed the Houses of Parliament of Great Britain that the French Court was planning the invasion of Great Britain and that, consequently, he intended to requisition a body of Hessian troops and to use it as reinforcement for Great Britain. The same day, the contingent of the Hesse-Kassel Army started to assemble in Germany. It consisted of 8 regiments. From March 28 to April 20, this Hessian contingent marched towards Bremen. On May 2, it embarked aboard 48 British transports at Stade. On May 15, it landed at Southampton. From May 19 to 22, it was transported to the region of Salisbury where it took its cantonments. By May 23, the Hessian contingent had been quartered in Hampshire. From July 11 to 14, it moved to its new encampment at Winchester. In December, it took its winter-quarters in the Counties of Chichester, Salisbury and Southampton.
From April 23 to 27 1757, the Hessian contingent embarked aboard 43 British transports at Chatham to return to Germany. On May 1, the convoy sailed from Chatham. From May 11 to 16, the convoy gradually reached Stade after having suffered a severe tempest.

Been interested in this subject so was pleased when Thomas Whitfield posted this article. Apparently it is going to be on BBC Four this evening. I don't normally watch tv but I might watch Digging for Britain on the Hessian camp at Barton farm. Read about it here

SYW Hessians by Gerry and Sam Embleton from the Osprey Frederick the Greats Allies

Tuesday, 4 December 2018

These Khurasan miniatures 15s open up a world of possibilities. Reminds me of when I first started this blog it was originally going to be about war gaming Louis XIV's wars and I bought one of each of Donnington miniatures late 17th century range. I didn't really feature them much as I had trouble photographing them.

Monday, 3 December 2018

Another book from Helion on the Great Northern War this year and like the other two this is a classic. Scholar and reenactor Boris Megorsky covers the second siege of Narva in 1704 in this book and in so doing also covers siege techniques and operations at the beginning of the 18th century when siege warfare was at its height. Unlike most sieges of the time this one ended with a storming of the fortifications and subsequently the plundering of the city. This is investigated from all sides. To say this work is heavily illustrated is a bit of an understatement - there are colour and black and white images galore, both modern reconstructions and old engravings from drill manuals and military treatises on siegecraft. To conclude this is highly recommended. Books in English on the Great Northern War are not plentiful in number but the quality of research and delivery make up for being small in number.